Decluttering at the speed of life

[Sallygoroundtheroses]

The follow on from www.mumsnet.com/talk/housekeeping/4709904-im-doing-the-31-day-declutter-challenge?page=21&reply=123534967 as we go into February and maybe beyond. We are no longer doing the numbers challenge but chucking, recycling, regifting and reselling the clutter in our life.

*The title is a nod to Dana K White, someone who has helped me declutter.

iwanttobreakfreeee
I found it helpful to do smaller areas first and leave the big areas until I have time to do it properly.

I picked one room and got it where I wanted it to be and then keeping on top of that helps me have the motivation to keep going in some other rooms.

Some declutter people suggest doing clothes by emptying the whole wardrobe and I've tried that several times. It was stressful and didn't work for me. Now I periodically choose what I'm going to have in my working capsule of around 30-50 items, and if at review time I don't really want to put the effort into packing it away/I've hardly worn it, I get rid of it.

I didn't know about this thread. I'm on a decluttering mission and so far have filled 8 bin bags since Sat - some for charity and some for the tip. I've given up on Vinted/Ebay. Last time I tried to sell on Vinted, I had a brand new dress with tags (shame). It cost £40 so I put it on for £10 but all I got was multiple requests to sell it for 50p or a pound - really not worth my time plus I get fed up with it all hanging around whilst awaiting a sale. I would rather strike whilst iron hot and get it all OUT!

I am really struggling to do anything today, even empty the dishwasher! I have taken some glass and plastic recycling out to the bin though!
Feels like I am wasting half term but just can't seem to get going!

Hey @EducatingArti when I feel I needed to achieve something but struggle to get going, I do some digital decluttering. I might delete some apps, unsubscribe from emails or delete some photos.

Thanks for the suggestion @Sallygoroundtheroses
I guess I'm spending time doomscrolling on my phone anyway so could include some of that.
I have made myself do my own and my mum's financial admin!

Just wondering if you will set up a March Decluttering Thread? Im in if you do - Or happy to continue with this one if not :-). I did join the 31 day challenge in Jan but probably got about half way through the month before I got derailed by life and stuff. Still keen to get some momentum up and get my family involved in gaining some control over our home.

Hey @Mamahotfoot I’ll continue this one. I’ve done nothing as I’ve been away and then v busy and that’s set to continue for another week. I’m going to concentrate on immediately getting rid of clutter as soon as I see it, rather that a specific space. I’ll go back to designs after areas when life calms down a bit in a week or so.

Glad to hear the challenge is continuing through March as it helps to keep me motivated and accountable.

This week has been very busy at work which has affected the time I have to devote to this. I have still kept small things leaving the house:

Dropped two books off at work to join the book donation shelf. This weekend, I got round to dropping off the used battery collection at the supermarket and have sorted out the freezer - thrown some items that will just never get eaten and decanted packets into another. Have also planned tea around items that need using to help reorganise the freezer and avoid any more waste.

I've gutted my shoes and bags so I've only got what I truly like and use, same for winter clothing, but have a box of 'maybe' clothes that I might want to have for spring/summer. If they're not worn in the next 6 months then they're going.

Other items are being removed if I look at them when tidying and decide I can't be bothered to find a home for them. Why stash them somewhere if I can't be bothered to find a home for them?

I am steeling myself to go through my books. I have way too many for the space, but I find it very hard to get rid of them. I'm going to try and be firm with myself and ask 'if you haven't read this in the past ten years, are you really about to read it now?!'

Is there a book exchange scheme in your workplace or area? My work has one and I find it easier to take books into work as there is a possibility I could bring it back if I really wanted to!

My single effort today - gave an unwanted book to a friend!

@mum2jakie unfortunately not, but I will send them to the charity shop so I know they'll go to a good home. And worst case scenario, I could always re-buy anything I really miss - but I bet I don't need to!

I'm continuing with thus though keep forgetting to post. I gave away 2 brand new vest tops today, sat in my wardrobe untouched for too long. Getting better at binnjbg/charity bag for the kids stuff.

Need to find somewhere to take clothes that are not good enough to sell/charity.

Hi @noodlezoodle I’m a big reader but I use the library and got rid of most of my books because we don’t have space and my other half wanted to keep his obscure collection. I find sometime people gift me books and I never get round to them but now I listen to the audiobook version (and stop listening if I don’t like it) and charity shop the book guilt free!

Oh and I use the library for audiobooks too!

I also use the library and my kindle... I am just a serial book buyer. Trying to rein it in!

I've just put the big tent on ebay. It's a nice tent but huge and I'll never use it again. Hoping someone will want it fir the summer.

Bemyclementine - I've also been wondering what to do about clothes/fabric that isn't good enough for charity as I know it's a disaster for it to end up in landfill. I've now got a box in the hallway that is specifically for that - filling it with odd socks/torn sheets etc. Am going to take it to M&S as they have a clothes recycling drop off point. I reckon they will pass it on to a basic fabric recycling depot as they are pretty serious about environmental issues.

Anyone else agonise about/unable to chuck out chipped china? GAH.......

jumping on and feeling inspired. I tackled clothes in a spare room and cleared two bags for the clothes bank and fancy clothes I will never wear (possibly a bit dated)

I had a spare 10 minutes this morning so I went through one folder on the filing cabinet and shred a load of documents that I don’t need/can find online.
@Bellaisoneluckywoman I use some chipped things for drainage in pots and the rest I chuck. I decided a few years ago to invest in lovely crockery and get rid of mismatched stuff (gave it to the charity shop) and never save the lovely set for best, I use it everyday.

@Bellaisoneluckywoman I'll have a look in M&S this week I coukd easily fill a couple if bags

I'm still going, but not as well as sone of you. 3 parcels posted yesterday thanks to vinted. A bag of playdoh put in the bin today, been trying to give it away without success. I've taken a charity bag last week and got another on the go now . I'm hoping to have a week off work soon , and plan to get lots done

Finally managed to catch up after being really unwell for the last month. I'm still doing the daily challenge as I find it useful to have something to aim for, I've now completed February and I'm on 17/496 for March (slightly ahead).

Marking place

I started reading this earlier thread earlier and got so in the zone that I’ve filled 16 (yes 16!) black bags and taken them to the tip/loaded the car for tomorrow for everything that didn’t fit the first trip!

I’ve done the utility room, most of the kitchen, my study, the bathroom and I’ve started on my room.

I’m being ruthless (nothing is safe)! I should take some stuff to charity/recycle etc but I won’t so it either goes to the tip or it stays!

So thank you for the motivation! Tonight I’m going to get drunk and start again tomorrow!

Well I had to work today and when I came back my
other half had gone through his wardrobe and had a bin liner for the charity shop. I’m so happy because he has a lot of stuff and it sometimes feels like I’m sacrificing a lot to accommodate it. The reality though is that I’ve never regretted anything I’ve got rid of so it’s probably good that I’m forced to do it so we can have a house that is not complete chaos.